Competitive Negotiations for Professional Service Contracts

Competitive negotiation requirements help to ensure that the municipality awards professional service contracts (i.e. attorneys, engineers, auditor, etc) with integrity and transparency. It is in a taxpayer’s best interests that their local government spends its money on the best and most cost-effective professionals available.

State law permits municipalities to hire professionals using a no-bid process which does not guarantee the municipality receives the best services available at the best price. These lax rules can lead to overpriced and unqualified professional hires. The Model Competitive Negotiations Ordinance requires municipalities to use an RFP process to secure competition among potential professional service providers, and allow a fair comparison of rates & services.

Download the Model Ordinance and make a presentation to your local governing body